Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources has temporarily suspended firefighting operations in northeastern Ontario after a drone was sighted in the area. Fire information officer Sydney Morgan-Gervais emphasized the dangers of flying drones near wildfires, citing the risk of collisions with firefighting aircraft that could endanger pilots, firefighters, and emergency personnel. The suspension was implemented while two Canadair CL-415 water bombers were combating the 2.8-hectare Cochrane 32 wildfire near Kapuskasing. Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
Morgan-Gervais noted a rise in drone-related incidents in Ontario and highlighted that federal regulations prohibit non-approved aircraft, including drones, from operating within five nautical miles of a wildfire below an altitude of 3,000 feet. Despite the disruption caused by the drone sighting, as of Monday morning, the Cochrane 32 fire was under control.